BETTING ON JULIA by Nina Croft is the follow up to her previous book Operation: Saving Daniel and features many of the characters from that book. I was still able to follow and enjoy BETTING ON JULIA without reading the previous book. This book has werewolves and a sexy warlock tormented by demon shenanigans. I like that the supporting characters don't clutter up the story or take away from the main characters.
BETTING ON JULIA has very intense and drama-filled moments as well as some lighter, sexy ones. Warlock Sebastian Crane and werewolf Julia Melville meet because getting Julia to say "I love you" is Sebastian's way of getting rid of a nasty demon named Dante who is bonded to him. There are a few fun moments because of Sebastian's ruse of appearing to be a slightly geeky, mild-mannered accountant. Sebastian sees himself as a man of dark passions and not really good enough to win the love of a good woman like Julia. This window into his inner thoughts makes him a more sympathetic character. I like that Julia is able to see this other side to him.
The attraction between Julia and Sebastian is immediate and it makes for some very sexy and super steamy scenes. There is a little bit of kink, but I think it's nothing that the average fan of paranormal romance would find unpalatable. Rather than being sinister or sleazy, Sebastian falls hopelessly in love with Julia. I like the dynamic and irony of her trying to get him to go wild, while he tries to control his wilder impulses out of caring for her. I like that they both had an inner struggle going on - him fighting his demon, and her struggling to accept her werewolf self. I think they make a perfect pair and have great chemistry. The action in BETTING ON JULIA adds excitement without obscuring the romance.
BETTING ON JULIA is a red hot romance with some danger thrown in. I look forward to reading more books by Nina Croft. I would also be interested in reading more stories set in the world that Nina Croft has created in BETTING ON JULIA.
Small, blonde, bubbly, and with a penchant for all things
pink, Julia Melville has always considered herself a nice
girl β until she was attacked by a werewolf. Months later,
and still in total denial, Julia spends the time between
full moons fantasizing that her life is normal. And who
could be better to help her with that than her new
neighbor,
handsome accountant, Sebastian Crane.
For two hundred years, Sebastian, a powerful warlock, has
been possessed by a demon. Each day, his soul grows
darker,
and he knows that soon he will be beyond salvation. But
the
demon loves to gamble, and heβs made Bastian one final
betβget a good woman to say the words βI love youβ and
heβll
be free.
Julia wants a normal guy. Bastian needs a good woman.
Maybe
together they can find something far more valuableβ¦
redemption.
EXCERPT
Heβd turned to go, but he swung back and held out his free
hand. βIβm Sebastian. Sebastian Crane.β
She tightened the belt of her robe and shuffled closer,
eyeing the outstretched hand as though it might suddenly
wrap itself around her throat and squeeze.
βI donβt bite,β he teased.
Something flashed in her eyes and was gone. She slid her
much-smaller palm against his and there was that little
shiver of sensation again. Ignoring it, his fingers
tightened around hers. Her hand was hot, and he couldnβt
help wondering what it would feel like wrapped around other
places. Like hisβ¦
He shook his head and tugged free, only narrowly resisting
rubbing his palm down jeans. He needed to focus here.
βAnd you are?β he asked.
βIβm Julia. Julia Melville.β
βHello, Julia.β
She tightened the robe a little bit more. Was she naked
under there? All soft pink-and-white skin. He was guessing
so. The robe revealed most of her legs, and her feet were
bare, her toes curling into the carpet. The material clung
to her breasts, outlining the full shape, the nipples
pressed against the fabric. Yeah, she was naked, and his
cock twitched in his jeans.
What the hell was going on?
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he hunched over a little
and forced a smile. βIβm new in town. I donβt know anyone
yet. Maybe you could take pity on me, let me buy you a meal,
and you can show me around.β
Actually, the only place he wanted her to show him was her
bedroom. Shit, maybe he needed to get out of there and
rethink his plan.
She shifted from foot to foot, appearing a little uncertain,
which was sort of endearing. For a second, she looked like
she was going to say yes. Her gaze searched his face, and he
was pretty sure she liked what she saw. Then she seemed to
give herself a little shake and resolve hardened her eyes
βNo,β she said.
βNo?β
βI donβtβ¦I donβt date.β
βYouβre seeing someone else?β
Her rosebud mouth pursed. βErβ¦no. Itβs more of anβ¦ethical
thing.β
βEthical?β What the hell did that mean? Had she taken up
religion? His research hadnβt found that out.
βMaybe ethical isnβt the right word.β Her gaze wandered
around the room for a few seconds before settling on the
phone clasped in her hand. βI have a girlfriend,β she said.
His eyes widened. βYou mean a girlfriend?β
A big beaming smile lit up her face as if heβd been really
bright. βYes.β
She was a lesbian? That hadnβt shown up in the research either.
She took another step and gripped the edge of the door.
βNice to meet you, Sebastian. Now I have things to do.
Important things.β
And she slammed the door in his face.
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